Fence connection



June 2, 1931. w; E. WARD 1,808,272

FENCE CONNECTION Filed Jan. 10, 1931 Patented June 2, 1931 UNITED STATESWILLIAM E. WARD, OF DELMAR, IOWA FENCE CONNECTION Application filedJanuary 10, 1931.

This invention relates to wire fences, and it is primarily an object ofthe invention to provide means whereby a strand of wire may beeffectively maintained in working en- 5 gagement with a fence post andmore par ticularly a metal post.

The invention also has for an object to provide a fence post having anopening through which is adapted to be normally disposed a wire strand,said opening having in communication therewith an entrance slot togetherwith means for closing said entrance slot to prevent disengagement ofthe wire strand from the post.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in thecombination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved fencewhereby certain important advantages are attained and the devicerendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient andadvantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitelyclaimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will nowproceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein Figure 1 is a fragmentary view partly in section andpartly in elevation illustrating a fence post constructed in accordancewith an embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 ofFigure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the upper end of thepost illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a view in perspective of the closing member herein employedunapplied.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, P denotes a metal fence postof a T-type and which is provided in one of its flanges 1 at desiredpoints therealong with a series of openings 2 through each of which isadapted to be disposed a wire strand 3 comprised in the fence structure.

The lower portion of each of the openings 2 has in communicationtherewith a depend ing slot 4 disposed in a direction lengthwise of theflange 1. This slot 4 is relatively short Serial No. 507,975.

and is continued at its lower end by the up wardly inclined slot 5 openat the outer edge of the flange 1. The slots 4 and 5 provide meanswhereby a Wire strand 3 may be readily entered within an opening 2 orremoved therefrom provided, of course, said slots 4 and 5 are in no wayobstructed.

To prevent accidental displacement of a wire strand 3 with respect tothe post P, I provide an elongated channel member M of desiredlength,.the bottom or connecting memher 6 of which being adapted to beslidably received within the inwardly and downwardly inclined slot 5with the side flanges f the member M upwardly disposed These flanges 7extend outwardly from the inter mediate flange 7 suflicient tosubstantially entirely close from opposite sides the short dependingslot 4.

The member M will readily remain by gravity in applied or workingposition, yet can be conveniently removed when desired. It will be notedthat the slot 5 terminates inwardly of the slot 4 so that the slidemember 10 will effectively close the slot 4.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a wirefence con structed in accordance with my invention is particularlywelladapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with whichit may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that myinvention is suscep- V tible of some change and modification with outdeparting from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason Ido not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precisearrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carryingout my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

' I claim 1. A fence post havinga flange provided with an openingadapted to receive a wire strand or the like, said flange having adepending slot in communication with saidopening, the lower end portionof said slot being continued by an upwardly and inward ly inclined slotopen at its outer end, and a retaining member sliding downwardly by Joegravity within the second slot to maintain closed the depending slot.

2. A fence post having a flange provided with an opening adapted toreceive a wire strand or the like, said flange having a depending slotin communication with said opening, .th e lower end portion of said slotbeing continued by .an upwardly and inwardly inclined slot open at itsouter end, and a retaining member slidable within the second slot, saidretaining member having'side flanges overlying opposite faces of theflange when the retaining member is applied. i

3. A fence post having a flange provided with an opening adapted toreceive a wire strand or the like, .said flange having a depending slot;in communication with said opening, the lower end portion of said slotbeing continued byan upwardly andinward- 1y inclined slot open at itsouter end, and a retaining member slidable within the second slot, saidretaining member having side flanges overlying opposite faces of theflange when the retaining member is applied, said flanges projecting adistance away from the intermediateportion Ofxthe retaining membersuflioient to substantially close the first slot fromendito end.

'In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my 7 signature.

WILLIAM E. lNAR'ID .v

